HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE: Newly-promoted Kidlington have made a host of signings, but believe returning batsman Andrew Buckingham could prove their main man.

Buckingham is back in the fold after an extend tour of Europe in 2005 and will bolster their top order.

Chairman Nick Duval said: "We hardly missed him last year, but he is key to our performances and a big season from Buck might just be the key to something special.

"All the locals keep asking me if it's going to be another promotion year, but that's a distant thought at this time.

"During the closed season we have hopefully made the right signings that will benefit our first XI squad and help us adjust to the Home Counties format."

Former Bicester and Faislabad paceman Tauqeer Hussain should provide Kidlington's cutting edge.

Oxfordshire and Gloucester Academy off spinner Dickon Morris, signed from Shipton-Under-Wychwood, will reduce the workload on skipper Mark Strong.

All-rounder Mali Richards misses most of June and July to represent Antigua in the Stanford Cup.

Kidlington make their Home Counties bow at Gerrards Cross.

Kidlington (v Gerrards Cross, away):Strong (capt), S Ali, N Ali, Richards, Prabhu, Morris, Rana, Buckingham, T Hussain, S Hussain, M Arnull.

* Thame Town skipper Adam Krol is targeting a top-three finish after coming sixth last year.

They are boosted by Kevin Crawford's return after illness and have signed his brother Alan.

Krol said: "We had a brilliant start last year and were top after about six or seven games.

"The potential is there to do the same for the whole season.

"I think the league is getting more and more competitive as we go along, but there's no reason for us not to be in the top three."

Of their new players, Alan Crawford is a batsman and Kevin is a left-arm spinner. They will travel from London to play.

Seamer Ollie Heath, who is taking his A-Levels at Lord Williams's School, has also joined after previously playing at Henley.

Overseas player Partik Mehta is replaced by Indian left-arm spinner Haresh Dahabi and they open with a trip to Burnham.

Thame (v Burnham, away): Krol (capt), Brooks, A Crawford, K Crawford, A Wynd, Parmar, Heath, Lachlan, Merry, Bartlett.

* Bicester & North Oxford will look for big things from youngster Alex Jewell.

They begin with a trip to Wokingham and have selected Jewell at No 3 and wicket-keeper.

Jewell steps in after the departure of county captain Ian Hawtin to Division 1 club Banbury.

The loss of strike bowler Hussain to Kidlington, however, is the biggest blow.

New community coach Kingsley Went will play when his commitments allow.

Aussie batsman Mark Fitzsimmons is now qualified to play after a good year in the seconds.

Ex-Buckingham bowler Krishan Talsania makes his debut at Wokingham, but Paul Jeacock is in the seconds due to work commit- ments.

Bicester & North Oxford (v Wokingham, away): Woods, Gary Sansome, Jewell, Watkins, Fitzsimons, Blair, Lyon, Chapman, Bryan (capt), Talsania, Mason.